Friday, April 25, 2008 - 18:00
AFP News Briefs ListBerlin Philharmonic says it wants to keep Simon Rattle
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra said on Friday that its musicians wanted to extend the contract of British conductor Sir Simon Rattle, following speculation they wanted to oust him.
Members of the orchestra "have spoken out in favour of extending the contract of its chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle which expires in 2012," a brief statement said.
Rattle and the orchestra "will now discuss what their joint future might look like after 2012," it said.
Rattle, who took over in 2002, has been quoted as describing his relationship with the orchestra's musicians as "turbulent" and there have reportedly been tensions over the programme for 2009.
